The Doctor Who star will play Marlowe, opposite Edward Bluemel’s Shakespeare, for an 11-week run.

He’s about to rematerialize as the Doctor this weekend, but Ncuti Gatwa is also returning to the stage too. The star appeared in Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest between November and January at the National Theatre. Now, he’s heading to the West End for the summer.

Gatwa is appearing alongside Edward Bluemel (My Lady Jane) in the two-hander Born With Teeth. The play, by writer Liz Duffy Adams, imagines the relationship between Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare.

Born With Teeth

Winter 1591. 

It is a dangerous time for artists: the country is full of conspiracy and paranoia. 

In the backroom of a pub, writing sensations Kit Marlowe and Will Shakespeare are forced together in a creative union. Alone, with the table as their stage and battlefield, they sharpen their pens – and let their genius fly. 

Across three secret meetings, the rivals duel and flirt like their lives depend on it – and with spies everywhere, betrayal is so tempting. 

Marking its West End premiere this summer, Liz Duffy Adams’ Born With Teeth is a thrilling imagining of the relationship between two literary icons at odds with their time.

The play is co-produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Playful Productions and Elizabeth Williams. Daniel Evans directs.

Ncuti Gatwa said:

“Liz Duffy Adams has written an exceptional play that is smart, dark, sexy, sharp and funny! There’s a lot to get one’s teeth into. This is like no version of Shakespeare and Marlowe that I’ve ever seen before, and I can’t wait for audiences to join us for the ride.”

Edward Bluemel added:

“To be stepping into the shoes of a young William Shakespeare is a huge thrill for any actor and I can’t wait to get started. When I read Liz Duffy Adams’ script, I was instantly drawn into the high-stakes world of these two rival playwrights and the incredible, creative chemistry they share.”

The show will have a limited 11-week run at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre, beginning on 13 August 2025.

Tickets go on sale to the public on Wednesday 16 April, with priority booking from 11 April. Additionally, 2,000 tickets are available at £10 for 16–25 year olds, sponsored by TikTok.

Doctor Who

Of course, this will doubtless generate more doom laden-speculation articles and speculation about the future of Doctor Who and Ncuti Gatwa’s role as the Fifteenth Doctor.

Realistically, all it tell us is that, should another season get the go ahead from Disney+, he won’t be available for filming until early November 2025. Other than that, were still waiting on that Disney decision which won’t be made until season two has aired. That position hasn’t changed in months, despite the size of column inches it seems to generate.

Naturally, we’ll keep you posted.